I never imagined retiring abroad. Life on a Southeast Asian island feels like a permanent holiday.

"I first came to Penang, Malaysia, in 1968, when I was 8. My father was in the Australian Air Force and was stationed at the Butterworth base on the mainland for three years. My family loved it. For many in the Air Force, it was considered a dream posting. The food, the warmth of the people, and the blend of cultures made it unlike anywhere else."

"In my last job, I was a training coordinator at a company in Western Australia that laid underground power cables. I'd never really imagined retiring abroad. But when I started thinking about retirement, it was a natural step for me to consider Malaysia. I had such strong ties to the place, and with the Malaysia My Second Home visa available, I thought, why not apply and see what happens?"

Lisa Williams first arrived in Penang in 1968 at age eight when her father was stationed at the Butterworth Air Force base. Her family loved Penang for its food, warmth, and cultural blend. She later joined the Australian Air Force, married a serviceman, and returned to Penang twice during postings in the 1980s and early 1990s. After leaving the service she moved back to Australia and worked as a training coordinator laying underground power cables. Strong personal ties and the Malaysia My Second Home visa prompted her to consider retiring in Penang; her husband also embraced the idea after a 2016 holiday.

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